Rogers board approves three-year research contract to study block scheduling, accepts 9.12-acre FFA property and updates benefits and policies

The Rogers School Board voted at its May meeting to enter a three-year research agreement with Handover Research to study block scheduling, costs and community impact and to support broader strategic planning. The contract recommendation followed administrative presentations and a proposed timeline that would deliver research and recommendations to a task force before a board decision in October.

Mr. Lee described the proposed process: a high-school task force including principals, teachers, parents and students would meet with the third-party researcher; the study would include stakeholder surveys, a detailed cost analysis and recommendations on staffing and implementation fidelity. He said the preferred scope was a three-year commitment (presented as a three-year price of approximately $155,000 versus a one-year $55,000 option), and noted the Rogers Public Education Foundation had offered to contribute funding. The board recorded a motion by Curtis and a second from Suzanne to enter the three-year agreement; the motion passed by voice vote.

Mr. Lee also asked for volunteers to serve on the task force and the board unanimously approved Amy Horn as the boards representative.

Separately, the board approved accepting a 9.12-acre parcel by quick-claim deed from Harpa Holdings LLC for $10 to be used for agricultural/educational purposes (FFA, construction/maintenance training). Administration said the property is zoned agricultural and that the deed includes programmatic-use stipulations and a requirement to maintain or rebuild existing improvements if altered. The motion to accept the deed was made by Nathan and seconded by Suzanne and carried by voice vote.

On personnel-related and administrative items, the board approved the consent agenda and voted to accept federal assurances tied to elementary special-education funding.

The board also adopted policy updates: IKE/IKA (grade-forgiveness and class grade classification) to permit students to retake semester courses for a better grade under defined restrictions, and policy JK (student discipline) with clarified language on digital handbook distribution, substitute teachers and a shift to "substance-use intervention conferences" in place of older assessment contracts; the board approved each policy as presented.

Benefits and retirement services were the final major action items. A benefits committee reviewed Section 125 RFP responses and recommended continuing Section 125 administration with EBI (current provider) and moving retirement plan payroll administration from Web and Associates to American Fidelity. Committee members cited service, local presence, non-commission advisors for benefits and stronger retirement plan education and licensing for American Fidelity. The board approved the committees recommendations by voice vote.

Board members discussed next steps: Handover will begin stakeholder surveys if the contract proceeds, the task force will meet in August with recommendations targeted for October, and the district will post photos and recognition information from the evenings retiree and student recognitions on social media. Administration said there is a 90-day notice window for contract cancellation prior to a renewal year.

Motions and votes recorded during the meeting included the Handover agreement motion (mover: Curtis; second: Suzanne), quick-claim deed approval (mover: Nathan; second: Suzanne), and acceptance of benefits and policy updates (motions moved and seconded; voice votes recorded).